[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55009-55010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-7973]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[UT-050-06-1220-P-PM]


Notice of Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Travel Restriction for 
Factory Butte Area, UT

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) travel restriction for 
motorized use in the Factory Butte area, Bureau of Land Management, 
Richfield Field Office, Utah.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that effective immediately, the Bureau 
of Land Management (BLM), Richfield Field Office, is restricting OHV 
travel to designated routes on 142,023 acres of public lands near 
Caineville, Utah, known as the Factory Butte area. This restriction 
does not apply to State or private lands located in the area. Within 
the Factory Butte area 2,602 acres currently designated as open will 
remain open and 3,843 acres currently designated as closed will remain 
closed to OHV travel. The restriction to designated routes affects the 
remaining 142,023 acres of the area located in portions of T. 27 S., R. 
6-10 E.; T. 28 S., R. 7-10 E.; T. 29 S., R. 7 & 8 E.; and T. 30 S., R. 
7 & 8 E., Salt Lake Meridian. The purpose of the restriction is to 
protect threatened and endangered species that have been adversely 
impacted or are at risk of being adversely impacted by OHV use. This 
restriction will remain in effect until the conditions giving rise to 
the restriction have been sufficiently addressed or the Richfield Field 
Office Resource Management Plan that is currently being prepared is 
signed by the authorized officer and becomes final.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This notice and the OHV restriction are effective 
immediately.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cornell Christensen, Field Office 
Manager, BLM Richfield Field Office, 150 East 900 North, Richfield, 
Utah 84701; Phone 435-896-1500.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1982, the Henry Mountains Management 
Framework Plan (MFP) designated the majority of public lands in the 
Factory Butte area managed by the BLM's Richfield Field Office as 
``open'' to off-road vehicle (i.e., off-highway vehicle) use. An OHV 
activity area of 640 acres was identified where intensive OHV use was 
occurring. However, the surrounding areas were also left open to cross-
country OHV use. Since 1982, OHV use has significantly increased 
throughout the Factory Butte area. Surveys conducted have noted 
mortality to threatened and endangered plant populations from cross-
country OHV use. Based on this information, BLM's authorized officer 
has determined that OHV use in the area is causing or will cause 
adverse effects to threatened and endangered plant species. 
Consequently, OHV use on 142,023 acres in the Factory Butte area is 
being restricted to designated routes, with 2,602 acres remaining open 
to cross-country OHV use and 3,843 acres remaining closed. A map 
showing the affected areas is available for public inspection at the 
BLM's Richfield Field Office at the above address. This map may be 
revised in the future based on monitoring of resource conditions and 
trends in the area. OHV use on the remainder of the public lands 
administered by BLM's Richfield Field Office will be unchanged and 
managed according to the existing land use plans. This restriction 
order applies to all motorized vehicle use with the exception of law 
enforcement and emergency operations, administrative uses, or other 
uses authorized by regulations.

Implementation

    A map showing the portions of the Factory Butte area affected by 
this restriction is available for public review at the BLM's Richfield 
Field Office. The map shows the OHV designations

[[Page 55010]]

within the area and routes open to OHV travel. The map may be revised 
in the future based on monitoring of resource conditions and trends. 
Maps and other appropriate educational information will be posted on 
kiosks at staging areas. Signs will be posted at strategic entry 
locations along the boundaries and on the routes designated for use by 
OHVs.

    Authority: This restriction notice is issued under the authority 
of 43 CFR 8341.2.

    Violations of this restriction are punishable by a fine not to 
exceed $1,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.
    Persons who are administratively exempt from the restrictions 
contained in this notice include: any Federal, State or local officer 
or employee acting within the scope of their duties, members of any 
organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an 
official duty, and any person holding written authorization from the 
BLM.

    Dated: July 31, 2006.
Henri R. Bisson,
Field Office Manager.
 [FR Doc. 06-7973 Filed 9-19-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P